Wall-mounted washing machine

ABSTRACT

A wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet, a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub, a drum installed inside the tub, and a gasket in the tub front cover. The gasket includes a door contact portion inclined toward a front surface of the cabinet and configured to at least partially make contact with a door disposed on the front surface of the cabinet. The door contact portion is configured to assist in opening the door using a restoring force generated when at least a part of the door contact portion is bent rearward by the contact with the door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0074715, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a wall-mounted washing machine.

BACKGROUND

In general, a wall-mounted washing machine is manufactured in a smaller size than a typical drum-type washing machine and can be installed on a wall surface in a narrow space. The wall-mounted washing machine is designed to easily wash objects such as baby clothes, undergarments or the like, which may have to be frequently washed.

The mounting surface includes a cabinet, a tub disposed within the cabinet and configured to store washing water, a drum installed in the tub that rotates and accommodates objects being washed, a drive unit configured to supply power to the drum, a water supply device configured to supply the washing water into the tub, and a water drain device configured to drain the washing water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.

For example, if a washing operation is started after a user puts objects to be washed into the drum, the washing water is supplied into the tub and the drum by operation of the water supply device. The drum is rotated by the drive unit. Washing is completed through a washing process and a dewatering (water removal) process. At the end of washing, the washing water contained in the tub and the drum is drained to the outside of the cabinet by the operation of the water drain device.

The conventional wall-mounted washing machine has a structure in which a tip portion of a gasket may be deformed or damaged as the door of the washing machine is repeatedly opened and closed. This poses a problem in that the seal between the gasket and the door is compromised.

In addition, during the water removal process, the door vibrates together with the drum due to the vibration of the drum rotating at a high speed, so that the washing water in the drum leaks to the gasket. As a result, there is a problem in that, when a user removes objects that were washed from the drum at the end of the water removal process, those objects are wet from the washing water leaked to the gasket.

Accordingly, a need exists for a wall-mounted washing machine that enhances sealing a gap between its door and gasket.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0064623 (published on Jun. 18, 2013) is an example of the prior art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine that improves sealing a gap between its door and a gasket.

In embodiments, the wall-mounted washing machine includes: a cabinet; a tub disposed inside the cabinet; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover. The gasket includes a door contact portion inclined toward a front surface of the cabinet and is configured to at least partially make contact with a door installed on the front surface of the cabinet, and the door contact portion is configured to assist opening of the door using a restoring force generated when at least a part of the door contact portion is bent rearward by the contact with the door.

In embodiments, the gasket further includes a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion, and a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion, and the door contact portion includes a connection section connected to the first extension portion and a contact section formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover from the connection section and configured to be bent rearward when making contact with the door.

In embodiments, the contact section is formed in a shape with a cross-sectional area that becomes smaller as distance from the connection section increases.

In embodiments, the door contact portion further includes a recess formed in a depressed shape between the connection section and the contact section, and the contact section may be configured to be bent rearward about the recess with respect to the connection section.

In embodiments, the door contact portion is formed to be inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100 degrees with respect to the first extension portion.

In embodiments, the gasket further includes a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured to be fitted with the tub front cover, and the fitting portion includes a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion, a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section, and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.

In embodiments, the cabinet includes a rear panel mounted on a wall surface and configured to support the tub, a cover portion coupled to the rear panel and that surrounds a peripheral surface of the tub, and a front panel installed in the cover portion so that the door is disposed in the front panel.

In other embodiments, a wall-mounted washing machine includes: a tub including a hollow portion; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover. The gasket includes a door contact portion inclined toward a front surface of a cabinet in which the tub is installed and is configured to at least partially make contact with a door installed on the front surface of the cabinet, and the door contact portion includes a connection section connected to an inner surface and a contact section formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover from the connection section and configured to be bent rearward when making contact with the door, and the door contact portion is configured to assist an opening operation of the door using a restoring force generated when the contact section is bent by the door.

In these other embodiments, the gasket further includes a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion, and a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion.

In these other embodiments, the contact section is formed with a cross-sectional area that becomes smaller with distance from the connection section.

In these other embodiments, the door contact portion further includes a recess formed in a depressed shape between the connection section and the contact section, and the contact section is configured to be bent rearward about the recess with respect to the connection section.

In these other embodiments, the door contact portion is formed to be inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100 degrees with respect to the first extension portion.

In these other embodiments, the gasket further includes a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured to be fitted with the tub front cover, and the fitting portion includes a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion, a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section, and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.

Embodiments of a wall-mounted washing machine according to the present disclosure can enhance the effect of sealing a gap between the washing machine door and a gasket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure, which is viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted washing machine, which is viewed from the rear side, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a tub front cover of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a gasket of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the gasket in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state of the door contact portion of the gasket of a wall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

One or more example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more example embodiments of the disclosure can be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarily illustrated to scale. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined size is merely exemplary and not limiting. The same reference numerals designate the same structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.

The drawings of the present disclosure illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As a result, various modifications of the features in the drawings are expected. Accordingly, the example embodiments are not limited to a specific form of the illustrated features, and for example, may include modification of form due to manufacturing.

A wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a drum-type washing machine that can be installed on a wall surface 20 and is designed to easily wash objects such as baby clothes, undergarments or the like, which have to be frequently washed. The wall-mounted washing machine 10 may include, for example, a cabinet 100, a tub 200, a tub front cover 300, a drum 400, a gasket 500, a drive unit 600, a water supply device 700, and a water drain device 800.

The cabinet 100, which forms an outer shell of the wall-mounted washing machine 10, may include a rear panel 110, a cover portion 120, and a front panel 130.

The rear panel 110 is a part mounted on the wall surface 20 by a fastening member 111 a. The tub 200 may be integrated with the front surface of the rear panel 110. For example, the rear panel 110 may have a rectangular shape with corners that are rounded. However, this is an example and the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the rear panel 110 may be formed in various shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and the like.

On the rear surface of the rear panel 110, there may be through-hole portions 111, first reinforcing ribs 112, second reinforcing ribs 113, a connecting portion 114, and a mounting recess portion 115.

The through-hole portions ill, into which fastening members 111 a for mounting the rear panel 110 to the wall surface 20 are inserted, may be respectively formed in the corners of the rear surface of the rear panel 110. The fastening members 111 a, when inserted into the through-hole portions 111 in this way, may be coupled to the wall surface 20.

The first reinforcing ribs 112 may be radially formed in a plural number about the central portion of the rear surface of the rear panel 110 in order to prevent the rear panel 110 from being broken by the vibrations generated during rotation of the drum 400. The first reinforcing ribs 112 may be connected to one another by a respective second reinforcing rib 113.

The connecting portion 114 is provided in the central portion of the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may connect the drum 400 and the drive unit 600. To this end, the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 (described below) may be rotatably installed in the connecting portion 114. In this case, the drum 400 is installed in one end portion of the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 installed in the connecting portion 114, and the driving wheel 620 of the drive unit 600 (described below) is installed in the other end portion of the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400. As a result, the power supplied from the drive unit 600 may be transmitted to the drum 400.

The mounting recess portion 115 is a portion to which the driving wheel 620 of the drive unit 600 is mounted. The mounting recess portion 115 may be recessed frontward from the rear surface of the rear panel 110 in order to prevent the driving wheel 620 from interfering with the rear panel 110 and the wall surface 20. As used herein, the term “frontward” refers to the direction extending from the rear panel 110 toward the tub 200 on the basis of FIG. 3, and the term “rearward” refers to the direction extending from the tub 200 toward the rear panel 110 on the basis of FIG. 3.

The cover portion 120 is a portion coupled to the rear panel 110 and configured to surround the outer circumferential surface of the tub 200. The cover portion 120 may have a structure in which parts of the front surface and the rear surface are open. As an example, the cover portion 120 may be formed in a rectangular tube shape with rounded corners so that the perimeter thereof gradually decreases frontward.

The front panel 130 may be installed on the open front surface of the cover portion 120. Operation buttons for operating the wall-mounted washing machine 10 may be provided in the front panel 130. For example, the front panel 130 may be formed in a donut shape with an open central portion.

Meanwhile, a door 131 may be installed in the open front portion of the front panel 130. The door 131 may be an electronic door which is opened and closed in a one-touch manner by the operation of the operation buttons provided in the front panel 130. Alternatively, the door 131 may be configured so that a user can directly open and close the door 131 using a handle (not shown) of the door 131.

The tub 200 is a part that stores washing water. The tub 200 may receive the washing water from the water supply device 700 and may discharge the washing water to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the water drain device 800. To this end, the water supply device 700 may be connected to the upper portion of the tub 200, and the water drain device 800 may be connected to the lower portion of the tub 200.

The tub 200 may be formed to protrude frontward from the front surface of the rear panel 110. As an example, the tub 200 may be formed in a cylindrical shape so that the diameter of its side wall gradually decreases frontward. In addition, the tub 200 may be made of substantially the same material as the rear panel 110, e.g., a synthetic resin, and may be manufactured through an insert injection molding process performed once. However, this is only an example. The tub 200 may be formed as a separate member and may be coupled to the front surface of the rear panel 110.

The tub front cover 300 may be installed on the front surface of the tub 200 and may define an internal space in which the drum 400 is disposed. The tub front cover 300 may include a tub coupling portion 310 and a gasket coupling portion 320.

The tub coupling portion 310, which is a portion coupled to the tub 200, may make contact with the front surface of the tub 200 and may be fastened to the tub 200. As an example, the tub coupling portion 310 may have a diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the tub 200 and may be formed in a donut shape with an open central portion.

In embodiments, the gasket coupling portion 320, which is a portion coupled to the gasket 500, is provided radially inward of the tub coupling portion 310 (toward the front panel 130) and is fitted to a fitting portion 570 of the gasket 500 to be described below. In an embodiment, to increase the coupling force between the gasket coupling portion 320 and the fitting portion 570 of the gasket 500, the gasket coupling portion 320 is formed in, for example, a step-like shape so that the diameter of a rear side wall 321 and the diameter of a front side wall 322 are reduced at multiple stages.

The drum 400, which is a portion that accommodates the objects being washed, may be rotatably installed inside the tub 200. The drum 400 may receive the washing water stored inside the tub 200 through washing water introduction holes formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drum 400.

The driving shaft 410 may be connected to the drum 400. The driving shaft 410 may be connected to the drive unit 600 disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may receive power from the drive unit 600.

The gasket 500 can assist the opening operation of the door 131 while sealing a gap between the cabinet 100 and the tub 200. The gasket 500 can also prevent foreign materials from entering the space between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400.

To this end, the gasket 500 is fitted to the gasket coupling portion 320 of the tub front cover 300. In embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the gasket 500 selectively makes contact with the door 131, and the remaining portion of the outer surface of the gasket 500 makes close contact with the gasket coupling portion 320. For example, the gasket 500 may have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the gasket coupling portion 320. The gasket 500 may be formed in a donut shape with an open central portion. The gasket 500 may be made of a rubber material having predetermined elasticity.

Specifically, in embodiments, the gasket 500 includes a door contact portion 510, a first extension portion 520, a second extension portion 530, a third extension portion 540, a first protruding rib 550, and a second protruding rib 560.

The door contact portion 510 can selectively make close contact with the door 131 in response to opening/closing the door 131 and can assist opening of the door 131 using the restoring force generated when the door contact portion 510 is bent rearward by the door 131.

To this end, the door contact portion 510 is formed so that it is inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100 degrees with respect to the first extension portion 520. If the door contact portion 510 is inclined at an angle of 90 degrees or less with respect to the first extension portion 520, then the restoring force generated in the door contact portion 510 is small and, hence, the door contact portion 510 cannot assist the opening operation of the door 131. If the door contact portion 510 is inclined at an angle of 100 degrees or more with respect to the first extension portion 520, then the effect of sealing a gap between the door contact portion 510 and the door 131 is reduced and the restoring force generated in the door contact portion 510 is too large, and this poses a problem because the door contact portion 510 may then be deformed or damaged.

Specifically, in embodiments, the door contact portion 510 includes a connection section 511, a contact section 512, and a recess 513.

The connection section 511, which is a section connected to the first extension portion 520 to assist the bending operation of the contact section 512, may be formed to extend radially outward of the tub front cover 300 (toward the front panel 130) from the first extension portion 520.

When the door 131 is closed, the contact section 512 is bent rearward by making contact with the door 131 and may make close contact with the door 131. To this end, the contact section 512 may be formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover 300 (away from the front panel 130) from the connection section 511.

As described above, when the door 131 is closed, the contact section 512 is bent rearward by the contact with the door 131. Thus, the contact section 512 receives a restoring force that urges the contact section 512 to return to the original position. Such a restoring force serves to bring the contact section 512 and the door 131 into close contact with each other. This makes it possible to tightly seal the contact section 512 and the door 131. When the door 131 is opened, the restoring force generated in the contact section 512 pushes the door 131 frontward, thereby assisting opening the door 131.

In order to enhance the bendability of the contact section 512, in embodiments, a recess 513 is formed between the connection section 511 and the contact section 512. As an example, the recess 513 refers to a portion depressed more inward than the outer circumferential surface of the connection section 511 and the outer circumferential surface of the contact section 512. In addition, in embodiments, the contact section 512 is formed in such a shape that its cross-sectional area becomes smaller as the distance from the connection section 511 increases. Thus, the contact section 512 is easily bent rearward about the recess 513 with respect to the connection section 511.

In embodiments, the first extension portion 520 extends rearward from an end of the door contact portion 510, the second extension portion 530 extends radially outward and rearward of the tub front cover 300 from an end of the first extension portion 520, and the third extension portion 540 extends rearward from an end of the second extension portion 530.

As a result, the second extension portion 530 and the third extension portion 540 form a structure in which the second extension portion 530 and the third extension portion 540 are bent at multiple stages from the end of the first extension portion 520. Therefore, when the door 131 is closed, a shock absorbing effect occurs between the cabinet 100 and the tub 200.

In embodiments, the rear end of the third extension portion 540, extending rearward from the end of the second extension portion 530, is exposed to the outside of the tub front cover 300. As a result, the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400 is more reliably closed by the rear end portion of the third extension portion 540.

In embodiments, the first protruding rib 550 protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover 300 from the third extension portion 540. In this case, the first protruding rib 550 is formed to have a length T1 such that the first protruding rib 550 is contiguous to the tip portion of the drum 400. Therefore, even if a foreign material, e.g., a coin, is present during the process of opening the door 131 and putting objects to be washed into the drum 400, the foreign material is blocked by the first protruding rib 550. Thus, the foreign material is collected in the space defined by the second extension portion 530, the third extension portion 540, and the first protruding rib 550.

In addition, even if the foreign material inside the drum 400 comes out of the drum 400 during a water removal process, the foreign material is blocked by the first protruding rib 550. Thus, there is no possibility that the foreign material is introduced into the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400. Therefore, the space defined by the second extension portion 530, the third extension portion 540, and the first protruding rib 550 may be referred to as a first foreign material collection groove A.

In embodiments, the second protruding rib 560 protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover 300 from the third extension portion 540 in a position spaced apart rearward from the first protruding rib 550. As an example, the second protruding rib 560 is formed to have a length shorter than the length L1 of the first protruding rib 550 and a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first protruding rib 550. However, this is only an example, and the present disclosure is not so limited. If necessary, the second protruding rib 560 may be formed to have a length such that the second protruding rib 560 makes contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drum 400.

In addition, even if a foreign material, e.g., a clip, that has a smaller size than a coin comes out of the drum 400 and enters the gap between the tip portion of the drum 400 and the first protruding rib 550, the foreign material is blocked by the second protruding rib 560. This makes it possible to prevent the foreign material from entering the gap between the tub front cover 300 and the drum 400. Therefore, the space defined by the first protruding rib 550 and the second protruding rib 560 may be referred to as a second foreign material collection groove B.

In addition, washing water splashed toward the door 131 from the interior of the drum 400 during a washing process is also collected in the second foreign material collection groove B. While not shown in the drawings, the washing water collected in the second foreign material collection groove B may be drained through a water drain hole formed in the second foreign material collection groove B.

In embodiments, the fitting portion 570, which is a portion to which the tub front cover 300 is fitted, is connected to the door contact portion 510. In embodiments, the fitting portion 570 includes a first section 571, a second section 572, and a third section 573.

In embodiments, the first section 571 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 510. In this case, the distance by which the first section 571 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 510 is equal to or smaller than the distance by which the second extension portion 530 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the first extension portion 520.

In embodiments, the second section 572 extends rearward from the end of the first section 571. To form a space in which the gasket coupling portion 320 can be fitted, the distance by which the second section 572 extends rearward from the end of the first section 571 is smaller than the distance by which the first extension portion 520 extends rearward from the end of the door contact portion 510.

In embodiments, the third section 573 extends radially outward from the tub front cover 300 from the end of the second section 572. To increase the contact area and the coupling force with the gasket coupling portion 320 while forming the space in which the gasket coupling portion 320 can be fitted, the third section 573 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from the end of the second section 572 such that the end of the third section 573 can be exposed to the outside of the rear side wall 321 of the gasket coupling portion 320.

The drive unit 600, which is provided on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and is configured to supply power for rotating the drum 400, may include a driving motor, a driving wheel 620, and a belt 630.

The driving motor, which is configured to supply power for rotating the drum 400, may be installed on the front surface of the rear panel 110. In this case, the rotating shaft 611 of the driving motor may penetrate the rear panel 110 and may extend toward the rear surface of the rear panel 110.

The driving wheel 620, which is rotated by the power of the driving motor transmitted through the belt 630, may be mounted inside the mounting recess portion 115 formed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110 and may be connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400.

The belt 630, which is configured to transmit the power of the driving motor to the driving wheel 620, may be installed so as to operatively connect the rotating shaft 611 of the driving motor and the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400. Thus, the power of the driving motor is transmitted to the driving wheel 620 by the belt 630. The driving wheel 620 is rotated without interfering with the rear panel 110 and the wall surface 20. A washing operation may be performed as the drum 400 connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400 is caused to rotate.

The operations and effects of the wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to embodiments of the present disclosure having the above-described configuration will now be described with reference to FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 8, if a user puts objects to be washed into the drum 400 and closes the door 131, the door 131 comes into contact with the door contact portion 510 of the gasket 500.

In this case, the contact section 512 of the door contact portion 510 is bent rearward by the contact with the door 131. As a result, the contact section 512 receives a restoring force that urges the contact section 512 to return to the original position. This restoring force brings the contact section 512 and the door 131 into close contact with each other. As a result, the effect of sealing the gap between the door 131 and the door contact portion 510 is further enhanced.

Consequently, even if the drum 400 is rotated at a high speed during a water removal process, the gap between the door 131 and the gasket 500 remains tightly sealed. This makes it possible to reduce the vibration of the door 131 that may be caused by the vibration of the drum 400. Thus, it is possible to prevent the washing water inside the drum 400 from leaking to the gasket 500. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the problem inherent in the prior art in which washing water leaked to the gasket 500 is present in the objects that were washed when a user removes those objects from the drum at the end of the water removal process.

Furthermore, when the door 131 is opened, the restoring force generated in the contact section 512 pushes the door 131 frontward. Thus, the opening operation of the door 131 is assisted by the door contact portion 510.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The example embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub disposed inside the cabinet; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover, wherein the gasket includes a door contact portion inclined toward a front surface of the cabinet and is configured to at least partially make contact with a door installed on the front surface of the cabinet, and wherein the door contact portion is configured to assist opening of the door using a restoring force generated when at least a part of the door contact portion is bent rearward by the contact with the door.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the gasket further includes a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion, and a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion, and wherein the door contact portion includes a connection section connected to the first extension portion and a contact section formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover from the connection section and configured to be bent rearward when making contact with the door.
 3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the contact section is formed in a shape with a cross-sectional area that decreases as distance from the connection section increases.
 4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the door contact portion further includes a recess formed in a depressed shape between the connection section and the contact section, and the contact section is configured to be bent rearward about the recess with respect to the connection section.
 5. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the door contact portion is formed to be inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100 degrees with respect to the first extension portion.
 6. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the gasket further includes a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured to be fitted with the tub front cover, and wherein the fitting portion includes a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion, a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section, and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section.
 7. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the cabinet includes a rear panel mounted on a wall surface and configured to support the tub, a cover portion coupled to the rear panel and that surrounds a peripheral surface of the tub, and a front panel installed in the cover portion, wherein the door is disposed in the front panel.
 8. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: a tub including a hollow portion; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a gasket in the tub front cover, wherein the gasket includes a door contact portion inclined toward a front surface of a cabinet in which the tub is installed, and is configured to at least partially make contact with a door installed on the front surface of the cabinet, and wherein the door contact portion includes a connection section connected to an inner surface and a contact section formed to protrude radially inward of the tub front cover from the connection section and configured to be bent rearward when making contact with the door, and the door contact portion is configured to assist opening of the door using a restoring force generated when the contact section is bent by the door.
 9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the gasket further includes a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extension portion, and a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of the second extension portion.
 10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the contact section is formed with a cross-sectional area that decreases as distance from the connection section increases.
 11. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the door contact portion further includes a recess formed in a depressed shape between the connection section and the contact section, and wherein the contact section is configured to be bent rearward about the recess with respect to the connection section.
 12. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the door contact portion is formed to be inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100 degrees with respect to the first extension portion.
 13. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the gasket further includes a fitting portion connected to the door contact portion and configured to be fitted with the tub front cover, and wherein the fitting portion includes a first section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the door contact portion, a second section extending rearward from an end of the first section, and a third section extending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the second section. 